Bodybuilding career in good shape

Flora Cauchi30 Jul 2013, midnight

JOELLE Christine Kunz proves it's not all bulked up brawn in the world of bodybuilding.

Bodybuilding career in good shape

World champion: When preparing to squash her international competitors, Joelle Christine did cardio and weight training six times a week for 90 minutes, went on a protein-based diet and had to learn about posing, tanning and doing her hair and make-up for the stage. Picture: Carlos Furtado

JOELLE Christine Kunz proves it's not all bulked up brawn in the world of bodybuilding.

The Kenthurst resident brought home two winning titles from her first international competition.

After only 10 months of training, Ms Kunz, who competes as Joelle Christine, won the bikini novice category and the open class at the International Natural Bodybuilding Association World Championship in Greece on July 5 and 6.

The law and business student, 19, said she was "shocked and happy" about winning.

"I've only been competing for five months so winning was amazing," she said.

Under her Instagram account "femmefitale", Ms Kunz told her 18,678 followers: "I never dreamed that I would end up on the world stage and that I could win a world title.

"When I first started competing, my goal was just to look nice in a bikini and to prove those people who had always put me down wrong."

She joined the gym last September and thought entering the Riverina Natural Physique Championships would give her a goal to work towards.

"Much to my surprise I won," she said.

Two months later she won the City National Championships.

Now, with her third win in Greece, she has automatically qualified for the Natural Olympia Bodybuilding Championships in San Diego, California, in November.

Winning that means becoming a professional bodybuilder.

The support she has received from her followers online prompted her to write her first e-book, still untitled.

It will be a "comprehensive guide" to competing, with tips on dieting, training, posing and make-up for those wanting to compete in the bikini or fitness categories.

Any money raised from the sales will go towards funding her trip to California.